Contact of the pin type



Feb. 12, 1929.

W. J. GAGNON I CONTACT OF THE PIN TYPE Filed Sept. 14, 1925 Z O W W I 6 U 6 Z J m x a W a 4 m 5 M 7 L tions.

Patented Feb. 12, 1929.

UNITED STATES- PATENT- OFFICE.

WILLIAI J. GAGNON, 0F BBIDGEPOBT, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO THE DEAD CHAIN MAN UI'ACTUBIN G COMPANY, OF BBIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT, A CORPORATION 01 CONNECTICUT.

CONTACT OF THE PIN TYPE.

Application filed September 14, 1925.- Serial No. 58,251.

My invention relates to pin type contacts and particularly to contacts for circuit extension appliances such as lamps, audions, attachment plugs, etc. The object of my invention is to provide a sheet metal, tubular contact which possesses a; rigidity comparable to that of the usual contact pin formed from rod or bar stock, and has certain specific technical advantages thereover, in addition to its relative economy.

In the accompanying drawings Fig. 1 is a side elevation, drawn to an enlarged scale, of a sheet metal contact pin embodying my invention in one form;

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2-2, Fig. 1;

Fi 3 is a plan view of an audion base to whic my improved contacts are attached;

gig. 4 1s a section on the line 44, Fig. 3; an

Fig. 5 is an enlarged section through portion of the base showing a contact of slight- 1y modified construction.

Contacts of the pin type are now universally, so far as I am aware, formed from solid rod or bar stock, which is shaped for service either by press or machine opera- Not only is the stock itself expensive, but the necessary operations. thereon add materially to the cost of manufacture. Furthermore, in fittings to which such contacts are secured by upsetting or riveting, the hardness of the bar or rod metal, ,coupled with its non-yielding rigidity, not only necessitate heavy pressure to efiect the upsetting operation, but also result in a heavy ercentage of breakage of the relatively ragile bodies to which the contacts are thus secured.

My invention provides a tubular contact pin 6 formed from sheet metal stock which is preferably of substantially softer material than that found in bar or rod stock, and is consequently riveted or spread by less ressure when securing the contact to its ase. Secondly, I provide the shank of the pin with an abutment shoulder 7 in the form of an annular open bead, which collapses under pressure and thus forms a cushion which relieves the base of fracturing stresses when the pin is being riveted thereto. Thirdly, I dome the contact end of the pin to facilitate its engagement with an associated terminal, and also to ide an associated lead wire, when used, to the end openend of the pin is formed with an axial opening to permit the passage therethrough of a lead wire 10 when such a connection is desired-as for example in a lamp or audion base 11. Fifth, the contact and of the pin is preferably formed of reduced diameter 12 (Fig. 5) to accommodate excess load-wire solder 13 without increasing the overall diameter of the pin to such an extent as to prevent its entry into an associated socket; and sixth, the head end of the pin is preferably bevelled inward sli htly, as at 14, to facilitate its entry into the passage in the base to which it is secured.

In Fig. 4, which illustrates an audion base 11 of standard type, made of a phenol condensation product, or other frangible tion. The adjacent pin is shown riveted in position-note the compressed cushioning flange 7. The pinon the right is not only riveted in position, but has the lead wire inserted and attached by solder 13. Unless the end of the pin 6 is reduced as indicated in Fig. 5, the drop of solder 13 is very apt to so exceed the diameter of the pin that its removal by another manufacturing operation, is necessary in order to permit the pin to enter its cooperating socket.

While I have shown and explained my invention particularly with reference to a contact pin for an audion base, it will be recognized that certain of its characteristics are of value in pins for attachment plugs, connectors, and that my invention includes these and related utilities.

' I claim 1. A tubular contact pin made from sheet metal stock and having spaced from its head end a collapsible abutment flange.

2. A rigid tubular contact pin made from sheet metal stock and outwardly bowed intermediate its ends to form an annular cushioning flange which assists in securing the pin to a supporting base.

3. A rigid tubular contact pin made from sheet metal stock having its contact end being of less diameter than the internal diameter of the pin, and having a continuous annular projection intermediate said rounded ends.

7.-A rigid, tubular contact pin formed from sheet metal stock and having its wall outwardly folded intermediate the ends of the pin to form a cushioning flange to assist in securing the in to an associated base.

8. An electric tting having an insulating base and an associated rigid, tubular contact pin, said pin being formed from sheet metal stock and having its wall adjacent one end out-folded to form an annular cushioning flange, said end bein spread to coact with said shoulder in securing the pin' firmly to the base.

9. An electric fitting havin an insulating base and an associated rigi tubular contact pin, said pin being formed from sheet metal stock and having its wall adjacent one end out-folded to form an annular cushioning flange, said end being spread to .coact with said shoulder in securing the pin firmly'to the base, and said spread end of the pin affording an opening through which a lead Wire may be inserted into the pin.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

WILLIAM J. GAGNON. 

